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The Blue Raincoat

Letting Go: The Power of Releasing What No Longer Serves Us

Esther Amunga, MNA, ACNP, CNP, GradPR Nonprofit and Professional Fundraising Consultant, Coach, Trainer & Speaker
Esther Amunga, MNA, ACNP, CNP, GradPR Nonprofit and Professional Fundraising Consultant, Coach, Trainer & Speaker

Raincoats are synonymous with rain. After all, no one wants to get wet. I’ve always loved the rain—not just the sound of it, but the experience of walking in it, feeling the cool droplets on my skin, and letting it wash away the noise of the world around me. It takes me back to my childhood when we would play in the puddles and wade through the trenches—what we called “ditches” where I grew up. Those were the days of carefree joy, of letting go and being present in the moment.

Several years ago, I bought myself a beautiful blue raincoat from a thrift store. It was a designer brand, and I told myself it would serve me well for those days when I would take my toddler out to play in the rain. It did its job, but after a while, I didn’t have much use for it. Still, I told myself, “Save it for a rainy day… it may just come in handy.” And there it stayed—in the trunk of my car, year after year, untouched. I was waiting for a rainy day, right?

“The moment of surrender is not when life is over. It’s when it begins.”

Marianne Williamson

Yet, as I reflect on those years, I realize that it didn’t take a storm for me to realize I hadn’t needed that raincoat for so long. The rain came and went, but the coat just sat there, gathering dust. It became a symbol of something I was holding onto, even though it was no longer serving me.

Today, I finally let go. I donated it to a thrift store. And, while it may sound trivial, I found myself struggling to part with it. I thought about all the memories it held, all the what-ifs—what if a rainy day came, and I didn’t have the coat? What if I missed out on something? But I was proud of myself for finally taking that step.

Isn’t that how it is with our lives? We hold onto people, ideas, relationships, and even our past, waiting for a rainy day. We tell ourselves, “I might need this one day,” or “It could come in handy.” But the truth is, we end up clinging to things that no longer serve us, that only weigh us down.

“In the process of letting go, you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself.” 

Anonymous

What if today, instead of holding on, you let go? What if you decided to release something you think has great value to you, something that you’re holding onto for dear life, but which is no longer enriching your life? What if you let go of a habit, a person, or a belief that’s been filling up your space, making room for something better?

Just like my blue raincoat no longer occupies the trunk of my car, we have the power to clear out the clutter in our lives. The things we hold onto, the people, the past—they take up emotional and mental space. And in that space, we could be making room for growth, for peace, for new opportunities.

In my struggle to let go of that raincoat, I thought of a simple but powerful quote: “Let go, or be dragged.” It’s a reminder that holding onto things doesn’t just take effort; it often drags us down.

The Bible also speaks to the power of release. One verse that resonates with me in this context is Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Sometimes, we carry burdens that weigh us down, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. But letting go can bring rest. It creates space for peace.

Today, my raincoat is gone, and in its place, I feel lighter—literally and figuratively.

What’s filling up your space?

What are you holding onto, waiting for that rainy day?

What could you release to make room for something new and better?

Letting go may not be easy, but it is always a step toward growth and freedom. Today could be the day you choose to let go of something—and embrace the possibility of what’s next.

My blue raincoat is no longer filling up the space in car just because….

What is filling up your space?

Who is Esther?

•Esther Amunga is a dynamic nonprofit expert, coach, and speaker known for empowering organizations to thrive. Through her consultancy, Esstaaz Company LLC, she partners with nonprofits to create tailored strategies that drive success and sustainability.

•Esther specializes in fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, grant writing, and entrepreneurial models, and inspires audiences with her insights. Her initiatives, like the Esstaaz African Fashion Accessories Fairtrade Initiative, empower women in vulnerable African commun ities.

•An author of two children’s books, Esther is also a fundraising advisor for the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Board and an active participant in global AFP conferences.

Passionate about social impact, Esther helps nonprofits transform challenges into opportunities for lasting change.

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